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An older man crouches by a pond letting grain fall from his hand to ducks while a white Poodle sniffs his fingers. 12 / 33

Grandpa Brought Seeds for the Ducks. His Poodle Had Questions About Them.

AI imagepoodleduckspond

Crouched at the edge of the pond, Earl lets a trickle of seeds fall from his cupped hand into the water, where a small group of mallards has gathered. A drake with a glossy green head paddles right up near his boots, and a couple of white and brown ducks wait their turn. Pearl sits close at his side, collar on, leaning in to sniff the seeds in his fingers as though she wants to know what all the fuss is about. Rocks line the water's edge, ripples spread out in rings, and the house and garden sit softly behind them.

Feeding ducks is a beloved pastime, but what you feed them matters. Bread is a common choice, yet it offers ducks very little nutrition, and leftover soggy bread can foul the water. Better options include cracked corn, oats, birdseed, or chopped lettuce, offered in small amounts. Some parks discourage feeding altogether, so it is worth checking local rules. With a dog along, keeping a leash on is the safest choice, since ducks can startle and a sudden chase can stress the birds. Pond water can also carry bacteria or algae that are harmful to dogs, so it is best not to let a dog drink from or swim in still water that looks green or scummy.

Pearl may be more interested in the seeds than the ducks, but she is behaving beautifully. A quiet morning by the water suits these two just fine.

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